The Human Rights Actions Network
www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/
ACTION REQUEST
Case PAL 260899
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your intervention
regarding the following situation in the Palestine Autonomous Areas.
Brief reminder of the situation
The International Secretariat has just been informed by reliable sourcer,
including LAW (the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human
Rights and the Environment), a member of the OMCT network, of the
arrest of Mr. Sami Naufal by the Palestinian Security forces on 16
August 1999.
According to information received, on the night of 16 August 1999,
forces of the Palestinian Intelligence raided and searched the house of
Mr. Sami Naufal, a member of the politburo of the Islamic National
Salvation Party, confiscating his private property and informing his
family that he was wanted by the Palestinian Intelligence Service.
The next day, Mr. Sami Naufal, accompanied by the Secretary-General of
his Party, went to the General Intelligence headquarters and was arrested
on arrival. On 20 August 1999, Mr. Sami Naufal was sentenced by the
State Security Court to fifteen days detention for interrogation. He
testified to PCHR (Palestinian Centre for Human Rights) that during
detention he was subjected to torture by interrogators in the General
Intelligence Services, including beating, sleep deprivation and shabeh
position.
On 24 August 1999, Mr. Naufal was released and injuries were evident on
different parts of his body, as it is shown by photos taken at that time
and confirmed in a medical report.
Action requested
Please write to the Palestinian authorities urging them to
i. ensure the right of Mr. Sami Naufal to adequate reparation,
including free and adequate medical treatment;
ii. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive inquiry into the above
mentioned events, identify those responsible, bring them before
a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil
and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
iii.ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human
rights standards.
Addresses
Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Khadra
Building, Omar al-Mukhtar Street, Gaza, via Israel. Fax + 972 7 2822
365/6 ( if voice, say " fax, please ").
Freih Abu Meddein, Palestinian Authority, Minister of Justice, Abu
Khadra Building, Omar al-al-Mukhtar Street, Gaza, via Israel. Fax + 972 7
2822 236
Khalid al-Qidrah, Attorney General, Palestinian Authority, Attorney
General Building, Yarmouk, Gaza, via Israel. Fax + 972 7 2824 502.
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this
appeal in your reply.
Geneva, August 26 1999
